MODERN RICE CULTURE. 15 



The question of utilizing the water supply, constructing reservoirs, 

 dams, lifting water from rivers, etc., is too large a one for present dicus- 

 sion, and it will be made the subject of future bulletins. 



TREATMENT OF THE CROP. 



Should no irrigation water be available, as soon as the rice is 4 or 5 

 inches tall all the drains in the levees are to be closed so as to retain the 

 rain water, and if the season is favorable sufficient water will be caught to 

 keep the grass smothered and to mature the rice. In no case should the 

 water completely cover the rice. 



Where irrigation is practiced, enough water to saturate the soil may be 

 applied when the rice is 2 or 3 inches tall, provided it stands in need of it. 

 This will give the crop an early start, and this is important, for in the 

 struggle for existence with the grass, rapid growth in the rice is all 

 important. 



In the course of three or four weeks the rice will be 7or 8 inches tall, 

 and water may be turned on to the depth of 4 inches. As the rice grows 

 more water should be added until it stands about 8 inches deep. 



When possible, it is well to keep the water in circulation, as it prevents 

 the growth of certain grasses 'which thrive in stagnant water. This can 

 be done by permitting a certain amount of water to escape at the lower 

 end of the field and supplying a corresponding amount at the upper end. 



Ordinarily no further attention is necessary until the crop is ready to 

 be harvested, but should weeds spring up among the rice plants they will 

 have to be pulled, and occasionally the rice becomes so grassy that all 

 growth ceases and the plant assumes a yellow color. In such a case there 

 are only two remedies; either more water must be admitted so as to 

 completely submerge the grass, or, if the rice is too small to permit of 

 such a treatment, the water must be completely withdrawn and the field 

 mowed down. The rice, by virtue of the rapidity with which it grows, 

 when mown down will soon outstrip the grass, and by flooding at the 

 proper time the crop can be saved. 



There should very seldom be an occasion for such heroic treatment, 

 however, on a plantation which has sufficient irrigation water, because, 

 with a proper system of control, the grass can nearly always be completely 

 covered with water and thus smothered out. 



Within ten or twelve days before the grain is ripe the water should be 

 completely drained off. The time to draw off the water can be easily 

 ascertained by noticing the color and position of the heads and the 

 consistence of the grain. As the rice begins to ripen the heads assume a 

 drooping position and they take on a pale straw color. As above noted, 

 the grain, too, is a good guide, for on breaking it it will be found to be of 

 the consistency of dough. 



